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Cordon Malus 'John Downie' (Crab Apple)

Cordon Malus 'John Downie' (Crab Apple) Code: MAC016

£39.95 39.9500 In Stock New

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Malus 'John Downie'

The most popular crab apple for making jelly. Produces masses of pretty pink budded white blossom in the spring followed by bright red and orange fruits in the autumn that are sweet enough to be eaten raw when ripe.

Bred in the U.K.  RHS Perfect for Pollinators


Pollination: Self-fertile. Universal Pollinator.


Tree Form: Cordon.


Available for delivery: late November/December - late April.


 

Are you searching for a delightful and space-efficient addition to your garden? Look no further than our range of columnar crab apple trees (cordons). These enchanting trees offer a harmonious blend of beauty and practicality, making them an ideal choice for gardeners with limited space or those seeking to create a striking visual impact.

 

Crab apples (Malus) are related to the common apple and are grown for their lavish display of spring flowers and edible fruits which can be made into jelly. They are also very useful pollinators as they have a long flowering period and are often interplanted in commercial apple orchards to assist with pollination.

 

Our cordon crab apple trees are grafted onto semi-dwarfing rootstocks and are  easy to grow, easy to control and easy to pick. Cordons should be restricted to 1.8-2.4m (6-8ft) in height and can be spaced 60cm (2ft) apart. To ensure rapid establishment, cordons are supplied bare-rooted and unless otherwise stated will be approximately 1.2-1.5m (4-5ft) tall on despatch (including the roots). Trees are available from late November to late April.

 

Why choose cordon crab apple trees?

Cordon crab apple trees, often referred to as columnar crab apple trees, are the perfect solution for gardeners who desire the charm of fruit trees but worry about overwhelming their modest plots. These slender beauties offer:

  • Space-saving design: With their upright growth habit, cordon crab apple trees can be planted just 60cm (2ft) apart. Plant several in a line to create a stunning screen.
  • Easy maintenance: Our trees are grafted onto semi-dwarfing rootstocks, ensuring they remain manageable and easy to care for.
  • Aesthetic appeal: Enjoy a spectacular display of spring blossom that will transform your garden into a breathtaking paradise.
  • Edible fruits: Harvest the fruits to create delicious homemade jellies and preserves, adding a personal touch to your culinary adventures.
  • Pollination benefits: These trees boast long flowering periods, making them excellent pollinators for other apple trees in your garden.

 

Our cordon crab apple selection

At Pomona Fruits, we offer a range of cordon crab apple trees to suit various tastes and preferences:

  • Malus ‘Jelly King’: This stunning variety produces large orange-pink fruits that persist well into winter, providing both visual interest and excellent jelly-making potential.
  • Malus ‘John Downie’: A beloved classic, this variety offers a profusion of white blossom followed by vibrant red and orange fruits, perfect for creating traditional crab apple jelly.
  • Malus ‘Pink Glow’: For those seeking disease resistance without compromising on beauty, this variety delivers with its striking pink fruits that resemble miniature plums.

 

Caring for your columnar crab apple trees in the UK

Our range of cordon crab apple trees have been grown in the UK. To ensure they continue to thrive in the British climate:

  • Plant in well-drained soil in a sunny position.
  • Water regularly during dry spells.
  • Prune annually to maintain the columnar habit and desired height.
  • Apply a balanced fertiliser in early spring to promote healthy growth.

By following these simple steps, you’ll be rewarded with a stunning display of blossom and a bountiful harvest year after year.

 

Ready to transform your garden?

Embrace the elegance and versatility of cordon crab apple trees and elevate your outdoor space. Whether you’re looking to create a living fence, add vertical interest to your garden, or simply enjoy the beauty of these compact fruit trees, our selection of columnar crab apples is sure to delight.

 

Order your cordon crab apple trees today and experience the joy of cultivating these charming, space-saving marvels in your own garden. With Pomona Fruits, you’re not just planting a tree; you’re investing in years of beauty, bounty and horticultural satisfaction.

 

Don’t forget to include tree stakes and ties on your order. All young fruit trees require staking and for better establishment we strongly advise using Rootgrow when planting (as recommended in RHS planting guidelines).

(image for) Carriage & packing charges

Carriage & packing charges

Our standard delivery charge to mainland UK is £9.95. Some items (where stated) are p&p inclusive. If you are only ordering items that are p&p inclusive, the standard delivery charge does not apply.

Some deliveries to the Scottish Islands, parts of Scotland, the Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Scily Isles may incur surcharges. If a surcharge is applicable, you may not be able to complete your order online. Please telephone us on 01255 440410 for a delivery quotation.

We regret that due to Brexit we are no longer able to deliver to Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and the rest of Europe.

(image for) Despatch Dates

Despatch Dates

We regret we are unable to give precise delivery dates as weather conditions can affect the despatch schedule. The following information (which applies to orders placed online and over the phone) should only be used as a guide and on the understanding that we may not be able to keep to these dates precisely. Please note, delivery usually takes longer when payment is made by cheque.
 
If you have any specific requests concerning the timing of your delivery (e.g. if you are likely to be going away on holiday) please let us know. It is not usually possible for us to bring forward delivery dates but we can delay the despatch of your order from the normal run.
(image for) Fruit trees, soft fruit bushes, ornamental trees & hedging (bare root)

Fruit trees, soft fruit bushes, ornamental trees & hedging (bare root)

Bare root fruit trees, soft fruit bushes, ornamental trees and hedging are available from late November/December until late April.
 
Orders placed before the 30th November will usually be despatched by mid/late December.
 
Orders placed between 1st December and 31st December will usually be despatched late December/January.
 
Orders placed after the 1st January will usually be delivered within 28 days of the order being placed.
(image for) Fruit trees & soft fruit bushes (pot grown)

Fruit trees & soft fruit bushes (pot grown)

Pot grown fruit trees, gooseberries and currants are available April to late August and will usually be despatched within 14 days.
 
Blackberries, blueberries, cranberries, elderberries, honeyberries, lingonberries, figs, goji berries and grapes are normally available throughout the year. If ordered April to late September they will normally be despatched within 14 days unless ordered with plants that are due to be despatched at a later date. Under these circumstances, to avoid additional carriage charges, the entire order will be sent together when everything is available. Outside this period, delivery may take up to 28 days or longer if ordered with plants that are due to be despatched at a later date.
(image for) Cell Grown Raspberries

Cell Grown Raspberries

Cell grown raspberries are available from May to late July and will usually be despatched within 14 days.

(image for) Strawberry plants (Runners)

Strawberry plants (Runners)

Unless otherwise stated in the product description, fresh dug strawberry plants will be despatched from mid October to late November. Coldstored strawberry plants will be despatched from March to late June. Orders placed during these periods will usually be delivered within 28 days. Some varieties are only available as coldstored plants (see product description for availability).
(image for) Strawberry plants (Summer Potted Plants)

Strawberry plants (Summer Potted Plants)

Summer Potted Strawberry Plants are available througout Septmber and will be despatched within 14 days.

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Vegetable Plants

Vegetable plants are available from mid May to late July. As a very rough guide, plants ordered before the end of April will usually be despatched by late May. Plants ordered after May will usually be despatched by early June.

(image for) Asparagus crowns

Asparagus crowns

Asparagus crowns will be despatched from April to late May. Orders placed during this period will be despatched within 28 days.

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Hardware

Hardware is usually despatched within 14 days unless ordered with plants that are due to be despatched at a later date.
(image for) Biological Controls (Natural Predators) & Bumblebee Hives

Biological Controls (Natural Predators) & Bumblebee Hives

Natural Predators and Bumble Bee hives are only despatched at the appropriate time of year (see product description for detailed information). When “in season” they are despatched direct from our supplier in batches on a weekly basis -  we send orders to our supplier 12pm Tuesday and they despatch these orders Wednesday the following week. Natural Predators are sent by first class post, bumblebee hives are sent by carrier.

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